31.10.09

About the story: Forced to leave her homeland of ancient Greece, Taryn must search modern day LA for the one man who will tame her wild heart. The Oracle has dictated that she must submit to all men who approach her. In doing so, she will find the single man who desires submission to her, then, and only then, may she return to her beloved home.

Adrian, frustrated by being forced live as an unrecognized son of Zeus, seeks his fate from The Oracle. The Oracle has a dictate for him as well, he must be patient, accept what comes to him, and never act on his own desires--especially those of the flesh. In doing so, he will, when the time is right, receive the recognition as Zeus’s son.

Excerpt: The Fates have been cruel, casting me from Greece.” Adrian tossed the chisel from his calloused hand, watching it skid to a stop under the expansive window. Gazing across the private courtyard swimming pool towards the glittering neon lights of Los Angeles, he continued, “Sending me to this modern world, where I am nothing, no one, I—”

“Not even your true father, Zeus himself, can deny The Fates,” Linus said to his friend, trying as he had many times over the past several weeks to remind Adrian that he had no control over his predicament.

“Curse The Fates and curse—”

“Don’t. Have patience.” Linus’ tone was sharp but softened as he continued. “You will regret those words later, when you get the acknowledgement you crave.”

Running his fingertips over rough edges of marble that would eventually be two lovers, Adrian scoffed. “Patience?”

Linus set down the brown leather chest he’d just carried in. “Let me remind you, you sought your future from The Oracle. Besides, you will be getting what you want—if you only follow—”

“The dictates.” Adrian’s hand stilled where the woman’s waist would be. “It’s a trick. Commanding me to not seek the touch of any woman, then placing me here, where she is nearby.”

“And what would you do if you could touch her?” Linus asked. “Seek vengeance?”

Gliding his hand lower, he flattened his palm across the area where the lovers’ bodies would merge and pressed hard. There was no room for gentleness when it came to the unfinished business between him and his former lover, Taryn.

He turned away so his friend would not see that cruel truth on his face, but the concealment came too late.

“What good would such an act do? It certainly would not help you achieve what you claim to want. Single-minded revenge does not suit a god—or even a half god. Perhaps the Fates know you better than you know yourself.”

Adrian backed away from the mass of half-shaped marble, stepped down from the wooden platform filling the centre of the space he’d made into a studio and turned to gaze across the new series of sketches he’d started that afternoon.

He admired the outline of the naked woman with her full breasts then scowled as his eyes were drawn reluctantly to the unusually large cock of the man poised above her. Had that been him only a breath away from Taryn, he would have already been buried in her sweet cunt. In two thrusts, he could have had her writhing, begging and…

Enough!
Disgusted that he, a son of the great Zeus, would bother to compare himself to a simple mortal man, he spun and paced across the dust covered floor of the room he hadn’t left in days. “What good can come of this isolation? Am I a child that I need to be torn away from the home I love and belong in to learn some…some…lesson?”

“The isolation is of your own doing. There is nothing in the dictate of the Oracle that keeps you within these walls.”

Adrian’s answer was quick. “What is the point of leaving?”

His companion’s reply was silence, the type of silence one man offers another when he is holding back words better left unsaid. Finally, Linus found something that might offer comfort. “She hasn’t seen you…yet. Perhaps you will accomplish what you must, then can return home with your cherished pride intact.”

The light sarcasm of Linus’s words went unnoticed. Adrian was strutting again, trying to avoid the table by the window where a few rays of moonlight that managed to cut through the skyline skimmed across the drawings. Pages and pages of the sweet Taryn, naked and exposed, submissive yet still in control, demanding that the man mounting her please her before himself.

Linus unlocked the chest and lifted the top. “You could have requested I send her away when she came about the job.”

Adrian had reminded himself of that many times but knew provided with the opportunity he would make the same choice again. Taryn was out of his life, but she would never be out of his blood—or heart. The images of them together were not simply a part of his mind, but his soul as well.

Turning away, Linus began putting away the clothing Adrian had insisted he bring over from the small apartment they’d been given upon arriving. “Do not think so little of yourself. She is here too, also torn from home, working as you are. And, most likely, battling with dictates as well.” He paused, catching Adrian’s gaze before continuing, “She is working for you. The Fates make no mistakes. There must be a rea—”

“There were not enough men in Greece for her to charm into her bed, that is the reason. She had come here to fuck every man who crosses her path.”

“Rumours,” Linus muttered, reaching into the chest for another pile of clothing. “Don’t listen.”

“I have seen her play with her charms with my own eyes. In Greece—and here.”

“Here, you have seen what you yourself have asked of her."
“I only told her to go through the motions of sex.” Frustration deepened his voice as he thought about both Taryn and his predicament with the Fates. “The job does not require that she enjoy it.”
It was Linus’s turn to scoff. “If you are thinking a woman like Taryn would allow herself to be mounted and used like some common slave, you do have a lesson to learn.”

30.10.09

For my October Contest _ENFORCED_ I asked a question curious to see what the answer would be? I asked what is your favorite genre and why.

Luckily for me that 90% of the responses matched mine! Woo Hoo! Over 90% said paranormal! Since that is what I also love to read and write that just fits perfectly.

TO quote answer "because anything is possible in paranormal."

I couldn't agree more! I have loved va,pires, werewolves, ghosts, fairies, and all of the above for most of my life. While other girls were playing with dolls I would climb a tree with a book and sit there for hours and read.

This time of year as I decorate the house and get together a costume for my daughter it makes me look back and smile. This year my daughter (who just turned 11 yesterday!) had decided to be a witch! Now that is something I can get behinde.

My October contest was to celebrate the release of the second book in The Were Chronicles Pack Enforcer. Reader comments and reviews are coming in and I couldn't be more proud of it! A special thanks to my awesome editor Jess who helps me bring it all together in the end.

Also a huge Congrats to the contest winner- Rain! She won a free copy of Pack Enforcer!

Make sure to check my website in a few days- Nov 1st for details on my November Contest- Seduction. I will be giving away a free copy of my latest release Lacey's Seduction to the winner. You can get more details starting on the 1st at:

One would think the hardest part of being a wolf shifter would be keeping their secret from the world. Not for these high-powered executives. In search for not one mate but two, these determined shifters will stop at nothing to claim what is theirs. The corporate world had better be ready for the wolves that no longer hid in the woods.

Board room meetings and business dinners just got a whole lot more interesting.

Blurb-

Annabelle Scott nervously ran her hands over her grey knee-length skirt as the elevator took its time taking her up to the top floor.

She’d only gotten the message that her boss wanted to see her minutes ago. Unfortunately her co-worker Justin Black had thought it would be funny to see her rush so she didn’t keep the top man waiting.

She wasn’t nervous about meeting with her boss about work, knowing that she did her job well. Since she’d joined the company over a year ago, the accounting department had run smoothly. Nothing like the mess she’d had to clean up when she’d arrived.

No, she was unsettled over the thought of being in close contact with her boss. Ever since the day she’d interviewed with him, she had been hiding a secret desire for him.

It was not proper in the business world and more unlikely to ever happen. She wasn’t a size two. While her friends had told her she was pretty, she knew she was nothing compared to the drop-dead gorgeous woman Matthew ‘Mac’ McCoy seemed to like on his arm.

Then there was the problem with his right-hand man. While Mac was tall, dark, and handsome, his vice president, Trevor King, was muscular, blond, and blue eyed. The two of them together were potent. And every woman’s wet dream. Every time she ran into one man, he was with the other. Her hormones couldn’t take much more.

The elevator chimed, letting her know that she had reached her destination, and Annabelle flicked her hair from her eyes and took a deep breathe.

Stepping onto the thick tan carpet she felt her heel dig in and tried not to trip. What would her boss think if he saw her sprawled out over the floor? Her lips lifted in a smile at the thought.

“Hi Mary,” she returned. She liked the older woman and had from the moment she met her.

“He’s waiting for you,” Mary told her with a smile.

Glancing at her watch, Annabelle frowned. She wasn’t late yet.

“You’re not late,” the other woman confirmed. “He’s just in a mood today.”“Okay thanks,” Annabelle responded distractedly. She really didn’t want to see her boss in a bad mood.

Annabelle stopped at the entrance of his office and looked in on him. He sat bent over his computer keyboard, pounding away. Mary was right if the way his fingers flew over the keyboard was any indication he was most definitely not happy. She knocked on the doorframe, not wanting to walk in without permission.

Matt’s head snapped up, and she watched as his golden eyes narrowed. She had never seen that colour before, but it fit him perfectly. Just like everything about him was perfect.

29.10.09

It's here! Yes, after what seems life an eternity of waiting my first EVER book release happened this week. And it's actually two weeks ahead of schedule. Originally, my full-length novel, Deadly Vision, was going to be my debut release, but my short story Sacred Talisman jumped ahead when it became part of the Voracious Vamps collection. And I'm thrilled to announce it's now available.

Sacred Talisman if my first vampire novel, and the first book in my vampire series, Dark Prophecy. I hadn't planned on writing a series, but once I started telling Rafe's story, I couldn't get enough of this dark, alluring culture. There's something very compelling about penning a character who can toss men across the room with one hand, and shift, if you will, through time. And I knew I'd have to delve further into this genre.

But what is the vampire genre?

If you google vampire lore, you'll find it's changed a lot since the infamous beginnings of Count Dracula. For some, the old rules no longer apply and vampires can walk in sunlight and see their own reflections. Others create worlds where only a vampire can kill another vampire, and mere humans are but pawns in their games. A world where Buffy would surely have perished that first night in the graveyard.

My trusty dictionary states that a vampire is "a ghost or reanimated corpse supposed to leave its grave at night to suck the blood of sleeping people, often represented as a human figure with long pointed canine teeth."

So where do present-day vampires fit in?

Everyone has their take, which might explain why these dark creatures have enjoyed such longevity. New twists and turns keep the material fresh, and keeps the reader coming back for more.

But perhaps the most notable change in the vampire history is the shift from villain to victor. Vampires are now seen as sexy, dominant hunks who save the day with their larger-than-life prowess and super-human abilities. They're sought after alpha heros who capture the heart of both the heroine and the reader. We cheer for them, cry for them and never once question their morality...a far cry from the likes of Dracula.

So with that in mind, I present my version of the old legend. Here's a peek of what you'll find under the cover of Sacred Talisman...

After roaming the earth for five hundred years, Rafe’s life is about to begin.

Rafe isn’t your ordinary vampire. He’s an Enforcer—a vampire created for the sole purpose of guarding a sacred talisman and preventing its power from being unleashed on the world. There’s just one problem. He has absolutely no idea how to find it.

The last thing Terryn expected was to have a handsome stranger come to her rescue when some creep drags her into an alley on Halloween. With blonde hair, blue eyes and a body rivaling every wet dream she’s ever imagined, she can’t help but wish her hero would keep her pinned to the wall. Too bad she doesn’t do one-night stands. But when the guy claims her necklace is an ancient talisman, and it’s his job to protect it, she’s launched into a world of prophecies and vampires, and discovers sex with the undead is hotter than her wildest dreams.

Now if they can only survive the night, and prevent a hoard of rogue vampires from claiming the pendant’s power, life—or even death—might just get interesting.

She cleared her throat, dragging his attention back to her face. “Then I guess I’m lucky you came along. Now if you’ll excuse me…” She shifted slightly, a faint glimmer on her neck reflecting the eerie light. Rafe moved with her, focused on the small pendant nestled against her throat. It looked like a tiny tear shaped vial, adorned with a silver lid carved into a series of leaves. The fluid inside the pendant shimmered in the dull light, casting rainbow coloured dots across her skin. She stopped when he barred her way with one massive arm.

“Where did you get that?’ he asked, nodding towards her neck.

The woman palmed her hips, glaring back at him. “What on earth are you talking about? Where did I get what?”

“The talisman around your neck.”

“Talisman?” She looked at him as if he’d spoken another language. She lifted her hand, fingering the pendant. “You mean my necklace?”

He nodded, unable to speak. The air seemed charged, prickling the hairs on the back of his neck. He watched as she caressed the smooth glass, running her fingers across the vial. The liquid inside glowed against her skin, fading from purple into black.

“It’s an heirloom.”

Her breath hitched as he reached up, tracing the suede cord with the tip of his finger. A spark erupted along his skin, tensing the muscles in his shoulders as he neared the small object. The light in the fluid increased, burning brighter. He stopped just shy of touching it, his gaze darting to hers. Her eyes had darkened, the green hidden by the black. She looked aroused and scared, and he wasn’t certain which outcome he hoped for. Her hand reached for his, grazing his skin as he touched the cool glass.

“Well I’ll be damned,” was all he said before a brilliant flash erupted from the pendant, knocking him back. A wave of energy flowed through him, rippling outwards like the wake of an earthquake. It prickled his skin, electrifying every nerve as it billowed out, filling the alley before finally dissipating.

Rafe staggered forward, bracing his weight against the building, trapping the woman between his arms. She mumbled something under her breath, splaying her hands across his chest. He forced himself to look up, cursing the decision the moment their eyes locked. It was her.

I hope you enjoyed the sneak peek. Feel free to check out my blog or website for more excerpts and don't forget to check out all the titles available in the Voracious Vamps collection. Here's wishing everyone a happy Halloween.

28.10.09

So Audra left not 12 hours ago to go back to Scotland. We had a great visit, and did a lot of shopping for the "ninja". We also did a lot of planning of the next year of our writing career. This is something we only get to do once a year when we are in the same place and can bounce ideas off each other in person. Its the one thing I hate about writing together- We don't have enough personal interaction where we can gauge each others reactions in person. But we have some great ideas coming up, and outlined and plotted 4 books, and two of our Satyr Novella's. Yes it was awesome.

She had come for the Authors After Dark event, which went off amazingly. We had a lot of fun, and Audra got to meet a lot of our friends and fans, which helped her ideas for our career. So we have a new lease on everything, and shes back to being determined instead of disenchanted. This makes me extremely happy.

So If your reading this, lemme give you a sneak peak on the AAD event Blog Hunt. On the 5th to the 10th of Novmber, all the authors involved with the event will be blogging about their experiences. Readers will have to hit the blogs, read the post, and answer the same question for each blog post: WHAT IS (INSERT AUTHORS NAME HERE) AAD BLOG POST ABOUT. then you will send it to the contest email (Everything will be promoted starting Thursday, so be on the look out) and you could win a HUGE bag of the goodies and books that we had at the event!

So be on the look out. Ooh and AAD: Romance Unlimited will be the 2010 theme, and details will follow.

27.10.09

I write vampires the same way I write humans. They are people first and foremost. They might be people who drink blood, but they are still people, they fall in love, have sex, and deal with all the same day to day issues as everyone else. It's those things rather than the blood drinking that makes them interesting for me.

It seems that every writer has their own way of writing vampires - a fact which writers either seem to love or loathe, depending on how well a particular writers ideas mesh with their own, lol.

How do I write mine? Slightly different in each story, to be honest. I like to play around with different versions of vampire society and culture in different books. That's part of the fun.

What do they all have in common? Well, they aren't dead, for one. In my mind vampireism isn't something you catch from a bite like malaria. You become a vampire by genetics, you're born that way.

Anything else? It's not true in every case, but a lot of my vampires tend to have a certain arrogance about them which stems directly from the belief that they are the top of the food chain. Most of my vampires are dominants.

However, much like the human dominants I write about, I've never believed that an being dominant automatically means that they get to have their own way all the time.

Which brings me to Lealand and Keats.

Leland - a classic tall, dark and dominant vampire.

Keats - bratty little sub.

I had a huge amount of fun writing their story. Here's a bit about it...

Keats may have reluctantly agreed to admit that vampires are fantasy and not reality. And he may have promised his friend that he would stop searching for them. But people who merely think they are vampires are still fair game for a fun night out.

Leland has been resisting the temptation to bite his friend for months, but when he sees Keats wander calmly into the middle of a Halloween feeding frenzy, he no longer has a choice. He has to claim Keats as a private blood slave before he ends up becoming the community property of his clan.

Everything rests on his ability to convince his clan he can bring the bratty submissive to heel. It’s going to be very long night…

Excerpt:

The smaller man clawed at the leather as Leland Hawkes wrapped it tight around his throat.

“Are you insane?” he demanded.

Keats Metcalf wriggled against him as he struggled to turn around and look over his shoulder. “Leland?” he gasped.

Leland relaxed his hold on the collar just far enough to let his friend drag a little air into his lungs.

Keats tugged at the leather again, fretting about the restriction around his neck as if that was the only thing in the world he needed to be worried about right then. “What are you doing here?”

“Stay still,” Leland snapped, doing up the buckles and fastening the wide collar tight around the other man’s neck.

Keats reached around and tried to slap his hands away, but that was little more than an irritating distraction. The final fastening clicked into place. The thick strip of leather practically covered Keats’ entire throat. It made Leland feel just a fraction better about the world.

Spinning his friend around, Leland pushed the smaller man up against the wall and held him easily in place with a hand in the centre of his chest. “What are you doing here?” he demanded.

“I asked first!”

Leland glared down at his friend. Keats returned his inspection, all big blue eyes and floppy blonde hair. All ridiculously childish games wrapped in a grown man’s body that made Leland’s cock rise and his teeth ache.

“What are you doing here?” Leland asked again, saying each word very slowly as he fought to control both his temper and his libido.

Keats tilted his head on the side as he studied him, obviously not the least bit afraid of the fact a man with twice his strength had him pinned to the wall. He also seemed entirely at home with the fact he was stark bollock naked.

Leland took a deep breath and glared into Keats’ eyes despite the temptation to drop his gaze and admire the best view of Keats that had ever come his way.

Leland stared down at him. “You’re…” He shook his head. Even for Keats, that was a new kind of crazy.

Keats squirmed against his hand, trying to push himself up onto his tiptoes and whisper to him. Against all sense, Leland found himself leaning down to make it easier for Keats to brush his lips against his ear.

“They think they are vampires,” Leland echoed as he straightened back up to his full height.

Keats looked just a tiny bit repentant—like a puppy that had been caught chewing a slipper and now regretted displeasing his master.

“I know I said I’d stop with the paranormal stuff, but this really doesn’t count. They just think they are vampires. It’s not like that psychic woman. I swear. I’m not getting duped. I’m just spending Halloween with weird, gothy people who like to pretend they’re descendants of Dracula or something. They’re harmless—they don’t even want any money off me. Hell, they even offered to pay for my train ticket out here.”

Leland stared down at his friend. He was right about one thing if nothing else. It wasn’t money the men in that building would want from him. “And the fact they wanted you wandering around naked didn’t make you the least bit wary?” he asked.

26.10.09

If you’re like me, you don’t have enough hours in the day. Do you ever wonder what you could do with more energy, more pizzazz? Could you accomplish something really great, set the world on fire? Or if that’s a stretch, would you settle for being able to get out of bed without hitting the snooze button half a dozen times? How about falling asleep without a cocktail to the shut up the monkeys in your head?

There are tools we can use to managing our energy and be more effective.

First of all, taking care of ourselves needs to be a priority (otherwise we’ll continue dragging our butts all the way to the finish line, never mind setting the world on fire!).

When you’re looking at your energy level, pay attention to the great science being uncovered in this area. We need 7-8 hours of sleep a night. Sleep is where we rest, rejuvenate, heal and help our hormones balance—and this can help with us having a healthy weight. That’s right. Getting enough sleep can help regulate your weight.

Fueling our bodies with healthful foods makes a huge difference in our energy level. By eating every few hours, we don’t end up overly hungry and making choices that don’t support the demands of our busy lives. By eating healthy, we can help our blood sugar levels and avoid spikes and crashes. Darn it, I’ve learned I feel better after a breakfast of a scrambled egg with spinach and a multi-grain English muffin than I do after a cup of coffee with French vanilla creamer.

Eating within an hour of getting up helps jump start your metabolism. No joke. If you eat correctly, at the correct times, you can eat more and weigh less. Ask your dietician. You’ll have more energy and avoid feeling sluggish.

Regular exercise, including cardio and weight-bearing activities, are a huge help. (Of course, see a doctor before you get going on an exercise program!)

We all need breaks from stress, too. What rejuvenates you? A bath? A little NFL? Dinner with friends? Boating? Skiing? Hiking? Camping? Hunting?

Just as taking a daily shower or having a morning dose of caffeine is a habit, we can establish other healthy habits. We can choose to support, rather than drain ourselves mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

Why not pick a place to start? You don’t have to overwhelm yourself, since you’re probably overly stressed to begin with. Perhaps consider starting with the rejuvenation piece? What can you do that nourishes yourself or your relationships? A latte with a friend? A burger with a colleague? A massage?

Maybe just eat breakfast a few days a week, and see how you feel on the days you nourish yourself well? If you drink too much caffeine, maybe consider cutting back, just a little.

If you don’t move your body much, how about an evening walk three times a week? Maybe consider some light yoga? (Again, talk to your doc.)

What if you turned out the lights one hour earlier, just twice a week?

What is it that you can do for you? How can you set the world on fire and live a life of excellence? I’d love to hear from you!

25.10.09

It's that time of year - Halloween is just around the corner. I usually go gaga for Gothic right about now.

Like today, when I watched the 1940's movie version of 'Jane Eyre,' complete with mist, wind, and storms that swirl around the eerie, dark, gothic mansion of Edward Rochester, the hero.

The picture you see here is of Deepwells Farm, a very old home, circa 1845. This grand old house is fashioned in the style of 'Greek Revival.' At one time, it was the home of one of the mayors of New York City, William Gaynor. He suffered an assassination attempt on his life back in the early days of the twentieth century, having been shot at point-blank range. The bullet remained in his body for quite some time, and ultimately caused his death.

I came to know the Deepwells Farmhouse well. I reside on Long Island, where the old home is located. One summer, I worked on the weekends as a Showhouse Manager for Deepwells Farm. Deepwells was a designer showhouse that summer, and each room had been transformed into a work of art, according to each designer's taste and whim. The event company that employed me needed someone on sight to oversee the purchases visitors made of the many valuable antiques for sale inside and outside the home.

Prior to Deepwells even looking as wonderful as it did then and now, there was a lot of work involved to make it structurally sound and presentable - even before the designers got their hands on their individual rooms. There was a crew of workers in when I first laid eyes on the grand old home, which, I recently discovered, in it's heyday, was the scene of countless society parties which many old-time movie celebrities attended. So, this group of construction experts had their work cut out for them to make sure the marvelous old, staircase was transformed into a safe one.

I remember climbing the remodeled staircase. I wasn't alone, I was with two other people. It was my job to tour the old house and get a 'feel' for it, and I can say, I most certainly did!

When we reached one of the upper floors, it was filled with small rooms - old servants' quarters. The more rooms I visited on this floor, the more I experienced an odd sensation. Uncombortable is how I can describe the initial feeling. It was as though I invaded someone's privacay. No other floor in Deepwells gave me this creeped-out feeling, except for the floor with the servants' quarters.

As we toured each small room, that strange, eerie feeling increased. I walked out into the long hallway by myself, while my other two companions were looking at one of the rooms. The hair on the back of my neck rose, and then I saw it: A lone rocking chair sat at the far end of the hallway. No other furniture was near it. There was no one in the hallway but me...

The damned rocking chair started rocking - by itself!

Not just a little movement, but full-fledged back and forth rocking. There was no wind to cause that, no one else was in that hallway but me.

I quickly exited that floor, and flew down the stairs.

I never returned to the third floor by myself, even when the house was filled with people on the weekends.

Was it the ghost of William Gaynor? One of his servants?

I never knew or found out, but I could feel something in that house. And maybe, the house left a piece of itself in me, like that bullet left in Mr. Gaynor's body.

Perhaps I just enjoy the spooky, eerie, dark feel of many of the old homes on Long Island.

24.10.09

I had planned to make this a fairly simple 'I'm coming out' post. No, not like that...coming out with my first TEB release this Monday, which I'm very excited for. Then I started thinking about the remarkable way the story was born and it got a bit lengthier than I planned, so please bear with me!

I wrote A Pint Light on a whim over a two day period right before a big road trip this summer. Looking at the calls for submission late one night, the deadline for Voracious Vamps a mere two days away, initially I skimmed over and dismissed it. But then I reflected on the vampire 'cult' of late and how most vampire stories were dark and moody. Typically for me, I started thinking, wouldn't it be fun to write a humorous vampire story? And just like that, the whole story sprang into my head. I began typing feverishly, and two days later, in between packing and closing down the house for a two week absence, I hit send on my newest baby. Keep in mind that I wasn't published at this point. No beta reader, very little self-editing, a hastily conjured synopsis.

Wrote, sent, forgot. A bit over two weeks later, my first contract from Dreamspinner Press came. And exactly one week after that, I got the e-mail from Claire offering for A Pint Light. Over the moon doesn't begin to describe that week!

I have at least two books planned to continue this into a series called Vampires & Mages & Weres, Oh My!

What's a vampire to do when every day is the same old dull quest for blood? Head to Maui, of course. But before Valerian can hit the beach, he needs to get rid of the sultry mage seducing him in his sleep. She may have fooled his subconscious, but he doesn't need a mate complicating his life. Imagine Val's shock when he finds out she's a he, yet still has the power to arouse him beyond anything he'd ever imagined.

Raine faints at the sight of blood and isn't looking forward to being a vamp's chew toy. Still, family duty calls, and Valerian turns out to be the hottest, and most powerful, male on two legs. Raine is crushed when the sexy vamp of his dreams runs from their rough play in horror. But his pride can't stand in the way when Valerian accidently steals his magic along with his blood.

Now, with time running out, Raine needs to seduce him one last time to even up the score, and maybe this time, they'll exchange more than blood and power. Magic is in the air, and sometimes love only needs a little nudge.

Excerpt:

Val’s body saw the possibilities here immediately, and his morning erection perked up at the oh-so warm pressure. However, that reaction exacerbated a different problem, one that was even more delicate given the circumstances. Normally, Valerian had almost complete control of his need to feed. But for some reason, his iron will melted away in Raine’s presence. He knew, knew that even broaching the subject right now was the worst thing that he could do. But after what happened last time, he was afraid giving into his increasingly burning desire would trigger another frenzied attack.

His hands rose of their own accord and settled on Raine’s morning-warm skin, just above the elastic waist of his boxer briefs. Val closed his eyes and savoured the feel of Raine’s cock aligned with his, holding onto Raine in counter-pressure while circling his hips upwards in little thrusts. With only the thin material of their briefs between them, Val could feel the heat of Raine’s shaft, the moist warmth of the growing spot of pre-cum soaking into the fabric. He imagined the smooth heat of the skin hidden from view, and suddenly couldn’t wait another minute to feel that weight in his palm. His slid his hands smoothly, fingers first, under the waistband and down Raine’s hips, his thumbs learning Raine’s hipbones in passing before he reached around to cup his firm, bare buttocks.

“This is where things got out of control last time, wouldn’t you agree?”

Val’s eyes flew open at the unexpected and incredibly coherent question. He tried to get his brain to formulate an answer, but couldn’t manage more than, “Uh…”

Raine sighed heavily, “I can see that I’m going to have to have conversations with you before you’re turned on. Obviously, all the blood must leave your big head when you’re aroused or something.”

Val couldn’t agree more. He could barely process what Raine was saying, only revelling in the fact that he was still sitting on top of Val’s pulsing cock. He continued to push up against Raine, now trying in earnest to remove Raine’s tight briefs without letting him move off his cock, an impossible task, unless he were to rip them…

He turned thought into deed, and three yanks later, the briefs were in tatters and Raine’s erection popped up, slapping against his own belly, leaving a dab of pre-cum behind. Before he even consciously decided to, he reached out and rubbed the spot off with the pad of his thumb, bringing it to his mouth for a lick. He watched those celadon eyes darken with desire as Raine focused on Val’s tongue sliding over his thumb, cleaning it of Raine’s cum.

The musky, briny taste, with the same notes as Raine’s amazing blood, hit his senses like a shot of adrenaline. Val reacted without thought, flipping Raine over, grinding down against him as he reversed their positions.

“If you’re going to nail me with those teeth again, you’re going to have to let me suck you off first. Take it or leave it.”

22.10.09

So today I thought I'd talk about titles. This can be a polarizing topic, especially if I express dissatisfaction with a title someone reading this has recently used. Warning: you don't have to agree with this post. I'm not putting down anyone's book, I'm just poking a bit of fun at the title. And hey, I've earned it. I read enough to fund a small library and/or country. This post is what it is--MY opinion. That said, let's continue.

To me, a title is almost as important as the book. Granted, something tame, like My Heart's Desire, isn't all that special. It's actually kind of bland, but it won't throw me from buying a book. Recently, however, I read some buzz on the Net about a particular book title that offended many a reader. I don't even remember what the title was, but that it had the word c*cksucker in it. Yes, you read that right. No, this book was not intended as part of a porn collection. It was an erotic romance, and I stress the word "romance." While those of us writing steamy fiction include sex in the work, we don't normally advertise what's happening in the book in the title.

My new book, Caging the Beast, is about a man called "the beast." He has anal and oral sex with the hero. My title is not, however, Takes it Up the Ass, Swallowing a Load, or Hand Job Harry. Kind of crass, to my way of thinking. But the more I read about the c*cksucker book, the more I realized this might in fact be a publicity stunt, and if so, more power to the author and publisher. The publisher apparently apologized for offending the many readers who complained, then promptly put out a c*cksucker II (again, not sure about the actual name of the book or its author and publisher.)

Honestly, I had to laugh. I'm not offended enough to complain about the book. I just won't buy it. The title is that off-putting to me, as it, perhaps wrongly, implies that the book is really only about someone giving head, when I'd like to read an erotic romance more for the story that includes sex, not about a story that is ONLY sex. I think in that case, I'd be reading erotica or porn.

In any case, I enjoy reading interesting titles. Here are a few I've enjoyed a chuckle or two over. I make no comment about the book itself, but the title seems forced to me, even for an erotic romance. Why not just title the book, "Having Sex, All Over the Place, In Every Position"?

In all fairness, I realize authors have very little say in their titles when published by large publishers. I included the links to these books because while the titles are just wacky, the stories themselves look pretty good. And that's my thought for the day.

21.10.09

Yes, I can't resist. Readers seemed to enjoy the concept for September's post and I certainly enjoyed the hunt for photos . So, this month I'm posting Part Two of the Illustrated Guide to my Naughty Nooners story, Indulge Me. Let me assure you that the photo hunt was as equally rewarding this month and you get to reap the benefits of all those hours of research.

Indulge Me was written after my visit to Spa Excess, the largest, most luxurious gay spa/bathhouse in Toronto. The story was meant to convey the absolutely erotic sights, sounds and even smells of this all male world.

If you read last month's post, you know what's going to happen. If not, here's the scoop. I'm going to post some of my very favourite passages, little snippets, sentences and paragraphs, from Indulge Me. They'll be accompanied by photos I've found to help you imagine what it's really like behind the lovely wooden doors of Spa Excess. I hope you enjoy the return journey.

Here's the blurb in case you need a refresher.

Indulge Me
by Kaenar Langford

Meet me at Indulgence. Noon today. I want you naked in the Wet Area.

Keane Daniels has received an anonymous note summoning him to Indulgence, one of the largest gay spa and bathhouses in Toronto. Since he's in unrequited lust with his boss, Keane thinks a clandestine tryst might just take his mind off his gorgeous colleague.

Rayche Marquette has wanted Keane since hiring him, but being his boss means Keane's off limits...until Rayche decides he can wait no longer and reserves the Wet Area of the spa so the two of them can spend a Naughty Nooner together.

Rayche and Keane meet in the elegant shower area, but when Keane discovers the sender of the note is his boss, his reaction is not what Rayche expects. Keane rebuffs him, thinking the lunch hour adventure is a lark for Rayche, a meaningless liaison. For Keane, that can never be enough with this man. How can he convince Rayche to turn their Naughty Nooner into a lifetime commitment?

Here we go!

Those conferences were pure agony for Keane. Rayche would invariably take off his suit jacket and throw it over the back of a chair. Then he’d loosen his tie andpull it off before undoing the top button of his shirt. He’d roll up his shirtsleeves, revealing his muscular forearms with their soft, dark hair. It was all he could do not to moan when his boss would lean back in his chair, hands behind his head, and stretch. Keane was sure he could see the outline of Rayche’s nipples as his shirt pulled taut against his chest.

All the time he’d been in the locker room stripping off his clothes, Keane hadn’t been able to stop thinking about the mystery man waiting for him. As he’d walked down the long hall, the music from the ceiling speakers pounding through his body, he’d felt his cock rising against the towel wrapped around his waist. It was as if an electric current had been vibrating around him, caressing his skin as he made his way to the shower area to meet the sender of the note.

Moving to the wall, Keane grabbed one of the handles and pulled. He shivered as the cool water hit his overheated skin, and he stretched like a lion up into the stream as it began to warm. Getting soap from a nearby dispenser, he rubbed his hands together then closed his eyes as he smoothed the lather on his face and let the spray wash over him. He almost missed the quiet snick as the door of the steam room opened behind him.

Reaching around, he smoothed his hands over Keane’s chest, pinching at the nipples as he made lazy circles on the wet flesh. Keane’s knees almost gave out as the stranger bit along his shoulder blade. While the warm water cascaded down their bodies, the play moved lower. He clenched the muscles in his belly as the man skimmed his hands around his navel. And lower.

Rayche smiled as Keane moved forward enough to insinuate one of his hands between their bodies. The smile vanished when Keane found his dick and took hold. It was replaced by a gasp of utter delight as Keane ran his thumb around the head, slicking the pre-cum over the taut skin.

Who could have guessed what was hidden beneath those expensive suits his boss always wore? Rayche Marquette was stunning fully clothed, but naked and aroused, he was all golden skin and hard muscle. His dark hair was slicked back, the long waves plastered against his neck and shoulders. High cheekbones bore the flush of arousal and his eyes were bright with what Keane hoped was the promise of things to come.

Rayche’s hands caressed his back, tracing the nubs of his spine before coming to rest at Keane’s waist. His grip tightened, forcing a cry from Keane as precise jabs replaced those gentle strokes. Rayche’s rhythm was relentless, pounding into Keane, his balls slapping against him, the room echoing with the slick sounds of flesh into flesh. Keane pulled his own cock, his hold more forceful, more demanding.

As Rayche pulled him upright and turned him in his arms, Keane grabbed his head and pulled him down for a passionate kiss. The hard fuck had barely taken the edge off his hunger for this man. He bit at Rayche’s lower lip, tugging it into his mouth, running his tongue along it. Then he drewback, gently pulling, slowly releasing it from between his teeth. He slid his tongue into Rayche’s mouth, slicking it back and forth over the sensitive palate.

He pushed at the door of the steam room and headed to the shelves by the entry to the shower chamber. After tearing a towel from the top of one of the piles, he strode back and yanked the door open. Rayche caught the soft cloth as Keane flung it against his chest. His voice was nothing more than a guttural whisper as he said, “Spread that out for me.”

Guttural moans accompanied the sweep of his hand. He felt the rise of his balls, his shaft hardening to steel, the head swelling to an enormous size. And he was thrown over the edge, pumping across Keane’s chest, ribbons of white that flew from him and splattered onto the slick skin in a seemingly endless stream. Finally his head slumped forward and he took a quick, deep breath, trying to regain his equilibrium.

Rayche’s eyes opened wide as his lover put a hand down and slicked the thick cum over the taut skin of his chest and belly. He smiled as those fingers went into Keane’s mouth one by one and he licked each clean. But it was a different sort of smile, not a contented cat one like Keane’s. No, it was more like a ‘you-belong-to-me’ smile.

“Look at those men on the TV,” Rayche encouraged. “Don’t you wish you were the one in the sling?”

His hands came around and Keane melted against him as he flicked Keane’s hard nipples.

“No,” Keane said.

“No?” Rayche echoed incredulously. “You wouldn’t want to be in the sling with those four taking turns fucking you?”

Keane turned in his arms and drew his head down for a long, slow kiss. He rubbed his hard-on against Rayche’s as he spoke. “No, I want you to be in the sling and I’d be the one fucking you."

Want more. Not had enough yet! You can read the first chapter on the book page at my website. And... Indulge Me will soon be out as a single title in print and as an audio book. I can't wait!